Improvement in desk-lid props



HENRY FLRUSSELL. A Improvement in Desk-*Lid Props. NO. 127,519, 7 Patented June 4,1-872.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY R. RUSSELL, 0E WooDBuRY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB To HIMSELF AND ISAAo S. RUSSELL, OF NEW MARKET, MARYLAND.

- IMPROVEMENT lN DESK-LID PROPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 127,519, dated J une 4, 1872.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved prep for desk-lids, especially intended for school-desks, but equally applicable for other desks, and which shall be so constructed as to hold the lid securely and prevent it frombeing raised higher than necessary, and which shall be automatic in its action; and it consists in the prop constructed and combined with the body and lid of the desk, as hereinafter more fully described.

A represents the body, and B the lid of a desk, which is hinged to the said body in the ordinary manner. 0 is the lower arm of the prop, the lower end of which is pivoted to the inner forward part of the end of the desk-body A. To the upper part of the arm 0 at a little distance from its upper end is pivoted the lower end of the upper arm D of the prop. The upper end of the arm D is pivoted to the under side of the forward part of the lid B, as shown in Fig. 1, a little nearer the hinge of the lid than the vertical line that passes through the pivoting point of the lower end of the lower arm 0. In the upper end of the lower arm 0 is formed a notch, c, to receive a stop or catch pin, d, attached to the arm D in such a position as to enter the notch a when the lid B is raised sufliciently to bring the arms 0 D in line with each other. The hole in the arm D through which the pin passes that pivots the arms 0 D to each other is slightly elongated or enl. rged, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to allow the arms 0 D to have sufficient longitudinal movement upon each other to allow the pin 11 to readily enter and leave the notch 0 when the lid B is fully raised, and to allow the said pin to seat itselfsecurely in said notch when the prop is supportiu g the said lid.

With this construction, when the lid B is raised to its full extent and lowered quickly, the pin d will drop into the notch c and securely support the lid. If the lid be raised sufficiently to relieve the catch, and lowered slowly, the inclination of the prop O D will allow the attraction of gravity to act upon the arms (3 D, and cause them to drop or bend so much that the pin d will not seat itself in the notch 0, allowing the lid B to be lowered or closed, the prop G D thus acting automatically. This construction enables the lid to be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand free to hold the object or objects that have been taken out of the desk, or that are to be put into it. The arms 0 Dmay be cushioned with rubber, if desired, to prevent noise.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersoPatent- The prop O c D d, constructed and operating in connection with the body A and lid B of a desk, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.

HENRY R. RUSSELL.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. STOKES, J. ALBERT REINHART. 

